Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones leak reveals tried and tested design
But will it be enough to rival the Sony WH-1000XM4?
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Audio giant Bose is struggling to keep a lid on its upcomingnoise cancelling headphones, the QuietComfort 45.
After last month’snow-deleted FCC filingrevealed a preliminary look at the headphones’ design, we’ve now got an even better peek at the brand’s latest cans, courtesy of promotional material obtained by German tech siteWinFuture.
Most notably, the new images corroborate the suggestion that the QuietComfort 45 will sport a USB-C port, replacing the dated micro-USB port of their predecessors, theBose QuietComfort 35 IIheadphones.
Beyond that, though, the design of the QuietComfort 45 looks set to remain almost identical to that of the 35 II. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since the 35 II were perfectly designed for commuters who crave comfort over striking design, but a similar plastic build could see the QuietComfort 45 lose out to more luxury offerings like theMaster & Dynamic MW50.
Still, as far as audio features go, we expect the QuietComfort 45 to make as big an impression as their predecessors. According to WinFuture, the 45s will offer active noise cancellation, an Aware Mode (similar to theAirPods Pro’sTransparency Mode) and will be tuned with Bose’s signature Active EQ.
Other improvements include a better battery life than the QC35 II, which will see the 45s deliver up to 24 hours of continuous playback, with 2.5 hours of listening time gained from just a 15-minute charge. The QC35 II offered 20 hours of battery life – which by today’s standards is pretty low – so that extra four hours will definitely be appreciated, even if the Bose headphones won’t match rivals like theSony WH-1000XM4in terms of endurance.
The German publication gives a hint at pricing, too, claiming that the QuietComfort 45 will retail for $330 in the US (as per a now-deleted Staples product listing). If accurate, that makes Bose’s upcoming headphones slightly cheaper than the model they’re set to succeed, which launched at $350 / £330 / AU$500.
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Analysis: Style vs. substance
Despite the impressive audio features set to arrive on the QuietComfort 45, Bose’s last flagship headphones, theNoise Cancelling Headphones 700, proved the company can marry impressive sound with bold design.
With the 45s, though, Bose seems to be re-treading the familiar ground of the 35s and 35 IIs by opting for quality of life features like ANC in place of a striking, sturdy design.
That being said, the 700s suffered from a lack of foldability, and the 35 IIs boasted better comfort for the user, too – a positive trade-off for their boring design – so if the QuietComfort 45 can replicate the weightless feel of their predecessors, Bose could be on to a winner.
What’s more, it’s likely that the upcoming 45s will improve on the company’s already-competent active noise-cancelling (ANC) tech – meaning they might even give the excellentSony WH-1000XM4a run for their money in the sound department.
We don’t have a release date for the QuietComfort 45s just yet, but with this latest image leak coming just weeks after Bose’s now-withdrawn FCC filing, a launch could be just around the corner.
Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
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